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Field Work Experience
requirements consist of 5 hours of community gardening and 5 hours
of youth-focused activities to be determined by the Houston
Chapter.
Project Description
The Children's Museum of Houston's commitment to youth extends well
beyond its targeted audience of children, aged six months to
twelve years. For thirteen years, since the Museum's inception in
1981 at its Allen Parkway location, the Junior Volunteer Program has
benefited teenagers throughout Houston by offering them volunteer
opportunities at the Children's Museum. From a handful of teens in
its first years, to a total of nearly 200 in 2000, the museum
continually strives to involve Houston youth in its programming.
The Children's Museum views itself as an educational center for all
children. It believes that
the lifelong love of learning that it hopes to kindle in each child
needs to be continuously nurtured, especially during adolescence.
Adolescence can be a very awkward phase fur children. It is a time
of mixed feeling. Many children can't wait to grow up and take on
the mantle of adulthood, yet there is still a part of them that
wants to hold on to the innocence of childhood. They are eager to
learn and demonstrate that they are capable, yet there are few
opportunities.
The Children's Museum believes that its Junior Volunteer Program
offers just the right environment for teens to continue learning
while simultaneously developing skills that will aid them throughout
their lives. And it provides teens the opportunity to work with
young children who tend to view them in awe.
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Project Description
The
Houston Chapter of Amigos de las Americas requires volunteers in
training to fulfill 5 hours of community service hours at a
community garden project.
The
Last Organic Outpost has been identified as our community
partner to provide the opportunity for volunteers to learn about
gardening in both an urban environment and a neighborhood community
setting.
As
part of the 5 hours of time spent gardening, the volunteers are asked
to attend designated garden sessions that will focus on crucial
aspects, such as how to compost, plan and build a garden. These
opportunities are aimed at providing volunteers information about how
to garden, as well as an opportunity to serve in local community
organizations that are aimed at improving the health and environment
of people in Houston. Ultimately the garden experience will provide
the volunteers with new insights into how gardens may serve different
functions in meeting the needs of individuals and communities in the
areas they will serve in Latin America.

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Many youth focused special event opportunities are offered to the
volunteers as they become available. In 2004-2005, among those
offered are the Dia de la Familia, The Hermann Park Kid’s Fun Run,
The Weekend of the Small Child at the Children’s Museum, and the
Children’s Festival.
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